Information handling system with multi-purpose NFC antenna

Abstract

A server information handling system baseboard management controller (BMC) includes an NFC transceiver that communicates NFC signals through an NFC antenna structure. The BMC selectively configures the NFC antenna structure to isolate portions of conductive material for use as an antenna in non-NFC communications, such as wireless local area network communications (WLAN) at 2.4 or 5 GHz or wireless personal area network (WPAN) communications at 2.4 or 60 GHz. In one embodiment, WLAN and WPAN communications are encrypted with a key provided through NFC or other types of wireless communication, such as visible, infrared or ultraviolet light signals.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A server information handling system comprising:
 a chassis; 
 a processor disposed in the chassis and operable to execute instructions that process information; 
 memory disposed in the chassis and interfaced with the processor, the memory operable to store the instructions and information; 
 a management controller disposed in the chassis and operable to manage operation of the processor; and 
 a wireless communication module disposed in the chassis and interfaced with the management controller, the wireless communication module operable to coordinate near field communication (NFC) and radio frequency (RF) communication through a common antenna structure by selectively isolating at least a portion of the antenna structure. 
 
     
     
       2. The server information handling system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an antenna structure interfaced with the management controller, the antenna structure having a coil configured to generate NFC signals with current passed through the coil; and 
 an antenna controller that commands selective isolation of the at least a portion of the antenna structure in response to a predetermined condition. 
 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2  wherein the at least a portion of the antenna structure comprises a length sized to transmit RF signals at substantially 2.45 GHz. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3  further comprising a matching circuit interfaced with the at least a portion of the antenna structure, the matching circuit providing resonance for the substantially 2.45 GHz RF signal at the at least a portion of the antenna structure. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4  wherein the matching circuit comprises an active matching circuit that adapts the at least a portion of the antenna structure to a desired impedance as the impedance changes over time. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 2  wherein the RF communication is wireless local area network communication. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 2  wherein the RF communication is Bluetooth communication. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 2  wherein the predetermined condition comprises a private key sent by NFC communications for encrypting RF communications.